Property

South Africans flocking to two small towns

Kirsten Minnaar • 25 August 2025

Small villages such as Rhodes and Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape are becoming increasingly popular property hubs, attracting retirees, nature lovers, and lifestyle buyers seeking tranquillity, affordable homes, and outdoor activities.

Wayne Rubidge, area principal for Pam Golding Properties in the Karoo, explained that demand is split between buyers seeking vacant land for new builds and existing homes.

One of these hamlets is Rhodes, which is situated in a remote location in the Eastern Cape Highlands at the southernmost end of the Drakensberg Mountain range.

Pam Golding Properties Karoo agent Dave Walker said vacant land in the area has been popular with buyers who want to build new homes.

“However, existing homeowners often buy vacant land adjoining their properties just to ensure that their views of the surrounding mountains and the peaceful ambience remain undisturbed. An example of this was an erf that changed hands for R500,000,” he said.

Snow is also a major attraction in Rhodes. The most recent snowfall, which happened in June 2025, was the highest recorded since 2001.

The village is well off the beaten track, and residents must travel a 60 km gravel road to go shopping.

However, Walker explained that with some proper planning, residents should only need to go into town once a month, which means that the distance shouldn’t be too much of an obstacle.

Rhodes’ isolation also makes it ideal for retirees who want to leave the city behind for a quiet backwater.

Fly fishing for wild rainbow trout, hiking, mountain biking, stargazing and exploring the many mountain passes in the area also make Rhodes and Lady Grey a mecca for nature lovers.

In the mountains close to Rhodes, there are some excellent examples of San rock art. Ice climbing is also a growing pastime for adventure enthusiasts, while rock climbing is considered unsafe, since the sandstone is overlain by basalt of volcanic origin, making it friable.

Rhodes and Lady Grey draw long-term owners

“Existing homeowners in Rhodes and Lady Grey seem to enjoy the lifestyle so much that they don’t move away,” Walker said.

According to Lightstone Statistics, 79% of Rhodes residents have owned their homes for 11 or more years. This figure escalates to 88% in Lady Grey, suggesting a very low turnover of homes.

“In Rhodes, 58% of existing homeowners are retirees (65 years and older), and 58% of recent buyers were mature (50-64 years), which indicates that the market appeals to older buyers,” Walker explained.

“Although the age profile of stable home owners skews older in Lady Grey, more than half of recent buyers were middle-aged (36-49 years), revealing that this town is attracting a younger cohort.”

Walker said that erven in Rhodes are generally only about 535sqm in size. Those with dwellings range from one or two-bedroom cottages to larger houses with up to five bedrooms.

Some dwellings even have cottages on the same property. All of these properties are sought after. “Most residential sales have been under R1 million, with the highest price achieved to date being R1.65 million.”

Situated in the foothills of the Witteberg mountains, with its historic buildings and quaint country cottages, Lady Grey is home to various types of dinosaur fossils.

The town is also the seat of the Senqu Local Municipality, which is one of the best-run municipalities in South Africa. Being larger than Rhodes, there are business owners who also reside in the town.

Lady Grey has its own hospital and is home to the renowned Lady Grey Arts Academy. This is a reputable primary and secondary school for learners furthering their education in the performing, visual, and musical arts.

“Lady Grey has more spacious erven than Rhodes and a few properties up to 2.5ha in size,” Walker said.

“As the salaries of government employees in the municipality generally determine the affordability price range, residential properties tend to range between R350 000 and R500 000.”